Battery terminal

ABSTRACT

A quick connect-disconnect battery terminal which incorporates a saddle portion for receiving a battery post in cooperation with a movable spring wedge which is retained in guiding members in a spring biased relationship and movable transversely of the post opening with its edge inclined to the direction of the transverse movement for wedging action against the battery post. The wedge is formed of a sheet of resilient material folded into a wedgeshaped spring member to form a pair of spaced sides carrying opposed retaining edges which move in contact with the battery post.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Francis N. LaMnr-tine 2113 RosebudDrive, Irving, Tex. 75060 [21] Appl. No. 833,649 [22] Filed June 16,1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [54] BATTERY TERMINAL 20 Claims, 22Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 339/240, 339/278 C 51 11:1.(31. .11011 11/12 [50] Field ofSearch 339/95,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,661,375 3/1928 Leighton339/230 1,671,842 5/1928 Schurimann 339/240 1,889,019 11/1932 Gorman339/240 1,942,435 1/ 1934 Loosbrock 339/240 2,191,503 2/1940 Schumanway339/227 2,235,935 3/1941 Lee 339/238 2,575,976 11/1951 Rock 136/1353,074,858 H1963 Riding 204/32 3,233,034 2/1966 Grabbe 174/685 3,409,8651 1/1968 Shannon 339/227 Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynnAttorney-Richards, Harris & Hubbard ABSTRACT: A quick connect-disconnectbattery terminal which incorporates a saddle portion for receiving abattery post in cooperation with a movable spring wedge which isretained in guiding members in a spring biased relationship and movabletransversely of the post opening with its edge inclined to the directionof the transverse movement for wedging action against the battery post.The wedge is formed of a sheet of resilient material folded into awedge-shaped spring member to form a pair of spaced sides carryingopposed retaining edges which move in contact with the battery post.

PATENTED AUB24 I97! SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR: 3 FRANCIS N. LG MARTINE IFIG. 7 g/ FIG.6

PATENTEU AUG24 Ian SHEET 2 BF 3 mm mum F RANCIS IV. La MART/NE FIG. [6

PATENTEIHUE24I8F. 3501.784.

sum 3 OF 3 INVENTOR- FRANCIS N La MART/NE ATTORNEY BATTERY TERMINAL Thisinvention relates to battery terminals. In another aspect, thisinvention relates to a new improved quick connect-disconnect batteryterminal. In still a further aspect, this invention relates to a novelnoncorrosive quick connectdisconnect battery terminal.

The various problems encountered when designing quick connect-disconnectbattery terminals such as used to connect battery posts with cables invehicles, include the corrosive nature of the storage battery, and theconstant vibrational stresses to which the terminal is subjected duringoperation. Several quick connect battery terminals are known in the art,such as those disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,942,435 and US Pat. No.1,965,846. In these terminals it has been generally desirable to utilizea wedge member which coacts against a lead battery post retained in asaddle portion of the terminal.

The performance of the above described quick connectdisconnect terminalshas been less than satisfactory because the terminal is rather sensitiveto heavy duty vibrational forces, and the corrosive atmosphere of thestorage battery. More specifically, it has been found that the solidmetal wedge will easily vibrate free from engagement with the post.Additionally, the solid metal wedges utilized in these prior artterminals have been generally made of a hardened steel or plated steelwhich is sensitive to the corrosive acids emitted from the storagebattery.

Therefore, there is needed an efficient quick connectdisconnect batteryterminal for storage batteries, which when once engaged will not besensitive to a normal vibrational force imparted thereto from thevehicle, and which is substantially resistant to corrosion in thebattery environment.

Accordingly, one object of this inventionis to provide a novel batteryterminal for storage batteries.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel quickconnect-disconnect battery terminal for storage batteries which issubstantially insensitive to the normal vibrational forces encounteredin the operation of the vehicles carrying the battery.

Another object of this invention is to provide a battery terminal thatcan be quickly connected or disconnected without the use of specialtools.

A further object of this invention is to provide a quickconnect-disconnect battery terminal which fits equally well-on a largepositive storage battery post or smaller negative storage battery post.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a'very efficientlight weight corrosion-resistant battery terminal which is especiallyadapted for use on aircraft.

According to one embodiment of this invention, a quickconnect-disconnect battery terminal is provided which comprises ahousing section carrying a post opening adapted to receive a batterypost, a saddle means for contacting a circumferential portion of thebattery post positioned in said post opening and a self-locking springwedge which contactsthe battery post when engaged and thereby pulls thesaddle tightly in place. The self-locking spring wedge slidestransversely'in guiding means adjacent the post opening, and whencontact is made with the battery post, spring tension is activatedbetween the wedge member and the guiding means both normal to the lineof contact with the battery post and also in a parallel plane therewithto thereby self-lock the spring wedge within the guiding means.

According to another embodiment of this invention, the guiding means areprovided with a spring means which force the wedge against the batterypost to provide additional locking action.

According to still another embodiment of this invention, the springwedge is made of a sheet of resilient material folded into awedge-shaped spring member comprising a pair of spaced wedge-shapedsides carrying opposed retaining edges. The opposed retaining edgestaper inwardly from the leading or narrow edge of the wedge along thelength of the wedge to the trailing or wide portion of thewedge tothereby provide a biting section therebetween.

According to a further embodiment of this invention, the saddle means ofthe said one embodiment carries engaging means which bite into the leadbattery post when the selflocking spring is engaged therewith.

According to still a further embodiment of this invention, the saddlemeans of the said one embodiment is integrally molded with the wires ofa battery cable in a manner so that the wires therein are spread and theends thereof are molded in an exposed relationship substantiallyradially in an a rcuate seat.

According to still another embodiment of this invention, the springwedge and housing components of the battery terminal are made of acorrosion-resistant material such as titanium.

This invention can be more easily understood from a study of thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred battery terminal of thisinvention connected to a positive battery post;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 1 connected to anegative battery post;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view partially in section of the batteryterminal of FIG. 1 showing the self-locking spring wedge in a disengagedposition, and an engaged position (broken line);

FIG. 4 is the back elevational view of the self-locking spring wedge ofthe battery terminal as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along lines 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a battery post with the batteryterminal of this invention shown in broken line to illustrate the bitingaction of the engaging means of the saddle upon the battery post;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another preferred battery terminal of thisinvention with a broken line showing of an engaged position on a batterypost;

FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view, partially in section, of theterminal of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of another battery terminal of thisinvention engaged to a battery post;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along the lines 12-12 of FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 13 is a view along lines 13-13 ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a preferred battery terminal ofthis invention connected to a battery post;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the self-locking spring wedge illustratedin FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end view of the self-locking spring wedge illustrated inFIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the terminal illustrated in FIG. 14withalocking prong ofthe wedge of FIG. 15 in engaged position;

FIG..18 is a sectional view of the terminal illustrated in FIG. 14 alonglines 18-18;

FIG. 19 isa side elevational view of another preferred battery terminalof this invention;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the terminal of FIG. 19 illustratingapractical modification thereof;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the terminal of FIG. 19 with thespring-locking wedge in reverse position;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view'of the terminal of FIG. 21.

Now referring tothe drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-8, the preferredterminal'of this invention is illustrated. FIG. 1 illustrates terminal10 operatively attached to positive battery post 11, andFIG. 2illustrates terminal 10 in a reversed position and operatively attachedto negative battery post 12. Terminal 10 generally comprises housing 1 3which carries aperture 14 for receiving the small end of thepositivepost (FIG. 1) or the large end of the negative post (FIG. 2), andflanges 13a which carry guiding slots '15. Saddle 16 (FIG.;2) iscontained within housing 13 and is aligned with aperture 14. Springwedge 17 is contained within guidingslots l5 and aligned so that itsretaining edges 18 make operative contact with the outer portion of thebattery post 1 l or 12 when engaged.

It is noted that in this preferred embodiment aperture 14 isapproximately eleven-sixteenths inch in diameter which is about onethirty-seconds inch larger than the twenty-one thirty-seconds inch topdiameter of the positive post, but yet smaller than the twenty-threethirty-seconds inch diameter bottom of the negative post. This willassure proper fit on the conventional battery terminal posts which arefrustoconical in shape, the positive post having a three-fourths inchbottom diameter tapering to a twenty-one thirty-seconds inch topdiameter, and the negative post having a twenty-three thirtyseconds inchbottom diameter tapering to a five-eighths inch top diameter. 1

Now referring to FIG. 3, which is a partial sectional view of terminal10, some construction details of terminal are illustrated. Asillustrated, cable 19 is connected to housing 13 of terminal 10 bysheath 20. The ends of the copper wires 21 are spread within housing 13and integrally molded within saddle l6.

Saddle 16 can be made of a suitable material such as a lead alloy andmolded within housing 13. It is noted that rivet members 22 are moldedthrough apertures 23 of housing 13 to thereby securely fasten saddle 16therewithin. They also provide a shorter path to the spread ends 21 ofthe copper wire for that part of the electrical current flow through thewedge 17 and flanges 13a of housing 13. It is also noted that the end 1of insulation 25 of cable 19 abuts the very end of housing 13 at points26.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, wedge 17 is illustrated in detail. Wedge 17generally comprises a spring member formed from a trapezoidal-shapedsheet of resilient material folded along a longitudinal axis. Wedge 17is then inserted within guiding slots 15 and forced therethrough in amanner so that its retaining edges 18 engage a battery post positionedwithin aperture 14, and force the post against' saddle 16. Preferably,the retaining edges 18 are spread at the narrow or leading end 28 ofwedge 17 and then converge in a tapering manner as illustrated in FIG. 4to the wide or trailing end 29 of wedge 17 to form a biting sectiontherebetween. These tapering retaining edges are formed by bendingopposed triangular sections 30 inwardly to form the retaining edgeswhich converge from leading end 28 to trailing end 29. The actualpositioning of the converging retaining edges is more clearly.illustrated with referenceto'FlGS. 5-7 and FIG. 3. The sectional view ofthe wedge 17 as illustrated in FIG. 5 shows a divergence of theretaining edges 18 which generally occurs at the apex of triangularsections 30. Retaining edges 18 then converge progressively along thelength of triangular sections 30. FIG. 6 illustrates the relativeconvergence of retaining edges 18 at about the midpoint of triangularsection 30, and FIG. 7 illustrates the relative convergence of retainingedges 18 at approximately the base of triangular sections 30.

In operation, the opposed sides of spring wedge 17 are slightlycompressed and inserted within guiding slots 15. The

spring action of the opposed sides of spring wedge 17 against guidingslots '15 causes the spring wedge 17 to be retained therewithin. As theleading end 28 of spring wedge 17 moves further to the left (FIG. 3)retaining edges 18 will engage the periphery of battery post 11. Thisaction will force the opposite side of battery post 11 firmly againstsaddle 16. It is noted that the seating section of saddle 16 comprisesarcuate areas 31 on either side of and contiguous with smaller diameterarcuate area 32 thereby forming gripping edges 33. The general area ofcontact 34 of gripping edges 33 on post 11 is indicated in FIG. 8.Spring wedge 17 is then forced within guiding slots 15 and against post11 until it reaches position '35 as illustrated in broken line in FIG.3. This wedging action will force battery post 11 into seatingengagement with saddle l6, and the general area of contact of grippingedges 33 on post 1 l is illustrated by area 36 (F IG 8). Thus, the softlead battery post yields to the compressive forces adjacent grippingedges 33 to form a retained area of contact.

posed sides of spring wedge 17 are made of resilient material,

the force between fold area 38 and retaining edges 18 will tend to causethe opposed sides thereof to buckle outwardly at points 39 (FIGS. 1, 2and 8) within guide members 15in a secondary locking manner. Thus, theprimary locking action is in a plane radial of the battery post 11 andthe secondary locking action is in a plane substantially perpendicularto the radius of battery post 11. Additionally,- a third locking actionwill occur between the lead battery post material and retaining edges18. As wedge 17 is forced to position 35, the converging retaining edges18 will bite the lead battery material in a wedging-type action. Thisaction will tend to spread opposed retaining edges 18 and thereby causespring wedge 17 to expand. This action will reenforce the stability ofthe primary and secondary contacts at areas 38 and 39 and provide asubstantial vibration-resistant locking action between the wedge and thebattery post.

It is noted that while housing 13 and spring wedge 17 can be made of anycorrosion-resistant material which is generally higher in the Galvanicseries than lead, for example, bronze, Type 304 or 316 stainless steel,it is preferred that these components be made of titanium. Titanium issubstantially non-- edges 18 of spring wedge 17 as illustrated in thedrawing is preferred, the terminal of this invention is operable with aspring wedge which carries nonconverging retaining edges. For example,it is within the scope of this invention to position retaining edges 18in substantial by an opposed parallel relationship. This will result inthe primary and secondary locking action as discussed above, and in theaction of the retaining edges 18 biting in or penetrating the exposedcircumference of the battery post.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another preferred embodiment of thisinvention is illustrated. Terminal 10a generally comprises a saddlesection 40, a resilient strap 41 which carries guiding slots 42 (FIG.10), and spring wedge 17. Saddle 40 generally comprises an arcuateseating area 43 which is integrally molded to battery cable 44. Theconnection between the wires of battery cable 44 within saddle 40 can besubstantially the same as that illustrated in FIG. 3 for terminal 10.Resilient strap 41 extends in a general U-shape around seating area 43and can be made of titanium as is wedge 17.

In operation, a battery post such as 11, is placed within the openingbetween seating area 43 and resilient strap 41. Spring wedge 17 is thenactuated by movement to position 45 as illus trated in broken line inFIG. 9. Retaining edges 18 of spring wedge 17 will bite into post 11 asdescribed above, and the action of spring wedge 17 within guiding slots42 will be substantially the same as the action of spring wedge 17within guiding slots 15 as explained in relation to terminal 10.However, an additional locking force is supplied by the action ofresilient strap 41. As illustrated in FIG. 10, resilient strap 41 willdeflect to position 46 as illustrated in broken line. The deflection ofstrap 41 will provide additional spring locking tension for wedge 17against battery post 11.

Now referring to FIGS. 11-13, an alternate embodiment of the basicconcept as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown whereby additionalspring tension other than that afforded by the wedge itself is providedto force retaining edges 18 against the battery post. As shown in FIGS.11 and 12, terminal 10b generally comprises a saddle section 50 moldedwithin strap 51. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ends of strap 51widen into sections 52 and 53 at the base of saddle section 50. Sections52 and 53 are bent inwardly so that sections 52 will overlap sections 53and completely encircle exposed wires 54 of battery cable 55. Rivets 56are then passed through the sides of resilient strap 51 adjacentinfolded and overlapped sections 52 and 53 to secure strap 51 to batterycable 55. As shown, a lead sheath 57 encircles the connection formed byrivets 56 and strap 51, and a portion of insulation 58 of cable 55.

The ends 59 of wires 54 are spread and integrally molded within saddlesection 50 around arcuate seating area 60. This arrangement results in avery heavy duty type terminal which can be subjected to tremendousvibrational forces and current load.

Wedge 17 which is exactly the same wedge as hereinbefore described inrelation to the foregoing Figures, passes through guiding slots 61 whichare opposed transverse slots located through strap 51.

Additionally, spring members 62 extend outwardly from the outside edgesof guiding slots 61 and rest against the folded area 38 of spring wedge17. Thus, as spring wedge 17 is moved within guiding slots 61 so thatretaining edges 18 are inclined to the direction of the movement andwedge against battery post 11, spring members 62 will depress and forceretaining edges 18 of spring wedge 17 against post 11. This springaction is similar to the action caused by the deflection of the strap 41of terminal 100 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and will result in additionallocking force being applied between the wedge and the post.

Now referring to FIGS 14 through 18, a preferred heavy duty terminalusing the self-locking spring wedge of this invention is illustrated.Referring to FIG. 14, terminal 100 generally comprises a housing unit 70formed from a single piece of formed construction metal (titanium)folded at end 71 to form guiding loop 72. The two ends are then foldedtogether and bradded by brad members 73 around the conductive wires ofcable 74. As illustrated in FIG. 17, aperture 75 extends through housing70 for receiving a battery post, and seating area 76 is adapted to seatflush with a battery post when wedging action is applied by spring wedge77.

Referring to FIGS. 14-17, wedge 77 is very similar to wedge 17 in thatit generally comprises a spring member formed from a trapezoidal-shapedsheet of resilient material folded along a longitudinal axis. However,engaging edges 78 comprise rounded sections formed by intuming the ends79 of wedge 77. It is noted that the distance between opposed retainingedges 78 on leading end 80 of wedge 77 are wider than the distancebetween retaining edges 78 on trailing end 81 of wedge 77, and thedistance therebetween slightly converges in a manner similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 4 for wedge 17.

The result of rounding retaining edges 78 as described will lessen thedegree of penetration of retaining edges 78 into the lead battery postas contrasted to the degree of penetration of retaining edges 18 whichwill result in utilizing spring wedge 17. However, there will be aslight depression of the lead post.

material by retaining edges 78. Because the penetration will beslighter, terminal 100 is readily adaptable to situations whereinbattery interchanging occurs frequently.

It is also noted that slots 82 are positioned longitudinally alongspring wedge 77 adjacent leading end 80 thereof. These slots 82 willresult in the formation of prongs 83 which can be bent outwardly tofurther lock wedge 77 in operative position within guiding loop 72 asillustrated in FIG. 14.

Now referring to FIGS. 14, 17 and 18, the general construction ofterminal 100 is illustrated in detail. As shown in FIG. 18, theinsulation 84 of cable 74 is cut adjacent the overlapped ends of housingunit 70 and conductive wires 85 are positioned within matchingsemicylindrical indentations 86 carried by housing unit 70. The end ofwires 85 are molded withina saddle section 87 which can be of a suitablematerial such as a tin-lead solder (30 percent tin, and 70 percent lead)in a manner so that the ends of wires 85 communicate with the surface ofarcuate seating area 76 of saddle 87. It is noted that added couplingstrength between housing 70 and cable 74 is provided by indentations 89(FIG. 17) which protrude inwardly from the outwardly projectingsemicylindrical indentations 86. Thus, when brads 73 are engaged to holdthe two semicylindrical indentations 86 in operative relationship aroundwires 85, indentations89-will exert inward compressive force againstwires and hold them in a locking relationship.

It is preferred that housing unit 70 and spring wedge 77 of terminal 100be made of titanium in that titanium is not only corrosive-resistant toconventional battery acids such as sulfuric acid, but it has highresilient strength. Additionally, since copper sulfate is a corrosionprotection agent for titanium, it has been found that by exposingthewires 85 in the integrally molded arcuate seating area 76 as discussedin reference to FIG. 18, any copper sulfate formed by coaction betweenthe copper wire and sulfuric acid from the battery will immediately coatthe titanium as a protective coating to prevent any further corrosion ofthe titanium. Thus, terminal 100 finds particular utility in situationswherein there is substantial battery changing, and in situations wherethe presence of corrosive gases is severe.

Now referring to FIGS. 19-22, an embodiment of the previously describedterminal 10c is illustrated as 10d. Referring particularly to FIG. 19,housing 90 of terminal 10d is substantially the same as housing 70 ofterminal 10c (FIG. 14) as previously described. However, instead ofbrads 73 (FIG. 14), nut and bolt assemblies 91 are positioned throughhousing 90 adjacent semicylindrical indentations 92 for holding wires 93of cable 94 therebetween. Additionally, referring to FIGS. 20 and 22,seating area 95 includes serrations 96. Saddle 97 (FIG. 19) extends fromabout 140 to about 150 around the inside of post opening 98. Thearc-shaped seating area 95 contains serrations 96 only from about 90 toabout 120 around saddle 97 to insure positive release of post 1 1 afterwedge 77 is disengaged.

Saddle 97 is made integral with either the top or the bottom portion ofhousing 90, and is adapted to abut the ends of wires 93 which areclamped between semicylindrical indentations 92. Additionally, aperture99 (FIG. 20) is shown smaller than aperture 100 (FIG 22). This sizingarrangement will allow apertures 99 and 100 to receive the bottom of thenegative and positive post, respectively. indentations 101 (FIG. 20) and102 (FIG. 22) which extend inwardly from the semicylindricalindentations92 not only mark the terminal for receiving positive and negativebattery posts,-respectively, but also function as retaining members tohold wires 93 securely within semicylindrical indentations 92 in asimilar manner that indentations 89 function in relation to coupling 10c(FIG. 17). Saddle 97 can be formed in exactly the same manner as saddle87 was formed for terminal 10c except that the ends of the wires arebound together as a cylindrical unit and not spread as illustratedatcharacter 87 in FIG. 19 before serrations 96 (FIGS. 20' andv 21) are cutby suitable stamping operation. After theserrations have been cut, it ispreferred that the wire ends of the'cylindrical unit be fixed together,such as by soldering or'silver plating operations, to insure maximumconductivityand corrosion resistance.

Thus, coupling 10d can be utilized on custom-made cables very readily bythe clamping of an exposed wire end of the cable within semicylindricalindentations 92 by the action of nut and bolt assemblies 91.Additionally, serrations 96 provide for heavy duty operation, but yetquick release when wedge 77 is disengaged. Also, FIG. 20-illustrates anexpedient means which can be utilized to lock spring wedge 77 withinguiding loop 103 if the prongs 83 have all been broken due to repeatedflexing. As shown, the wire 104 is positioned through wedge 77 andaround guiding loop 103 and twisted to fixedly engage wedge 77 throughguiding loop 103 under the most extreme conditions of vibration.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show alternative placement of spring wedge 77. Springwedge 77 is inserted backwards so that the folded area .105 will'serveasa retaining edge against post 1 1. This arrangement is particularlysuitable for situations when frequent interchange of the batteries forcharging and the like is required, because folded area 105'will causeless wear upon the .edgezof post 11 than the action of retaining edges78. In addition, folded area 105. will extend farther into post openingconductive wires of said therein, and an arcuate seating area forseating said battery 98 and provides a tight fit if more battery postshould be worn undersize from repeated scraping'and cleaning.

While this invention has been described in relation to its preferredembodiments, it is understood that various modifications can be made byone skilled in the art upon reading the specification and it is intendedto cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim: 1. A terminal device for connecting a battery cable to aterminal post of a storage battery comprising:

a. a body housing carrying a post opening for receiving said batterypost, means for connecting said cable to said body housing, a seatingmeans for said post operatively positioned in said post opening, andguiding members for confining movement of a spring retaining wedgetransversely of said post opening opposite said seating means; and b. aspring retaining wedge having a leading narrowed end and a widenedtrailing end being madefrom a sheet of resilient material bent to formopposed side members which carry opposed retaining edges for engagementwith said post which are inclined to the direction of movement of saidspring wedge within said guiding members, and wherein the opposedretaining edges on said leading end are spaced wider apart than theopposed retaining edges of said trailing end and wherein the retainingedges on the body of said wedge between said ends taper therebetween sothat when contact is made between said retaining edges and a batterypost, said spring retaining wedge will expand in said guiding members.

2. The terminal of claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprise a pair ofopposed transverse slot members positioned on a resilient band integralwith and partially encircling said seating means.

3. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising spring means positionedadjacent said guiding means to contact said wedge and force it in thedirection of said post opening.

4. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising serrations extending fromsaid seat for contacting and deforming said battery post when it isforced thereon by said spring wedge.

5. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising at least one longitudinalslot extending from said leading end of said spring wedge to therebyform at least one bendable prong.

6. The terminal of claim 1 wherein said retaining edgescomprise'slightly rounded sections formed by intuming the ends of saidresilient sheet material.

I 7. The terminal'of claim 1 wherein said housing andsaid spring wedgeare made of a substantially noncorrosive metal.

8. The terminal of claim 7 wherein said metal is titanium.

9. The terminal of claim 1 wherein said seating means comprises a moldedconductive battery cable integrally molded post.

10. The tenninal of claim 9 wherein said arcuate seating area extendsfrom about 140 to about 150 around said post opening.

11. The terminal of claim 9 wherein said conductive wires are spread insaid molded body so that the ends thereof communicate substantiallyradially with said arcuate seating area.

metal body having the ends of the 12. The terminal of claim 9 furthercomprising serrations for engaging said battery post extending from saidarcuate seating area.

13. The terminal of claim 12 wherein serrations are positioned fromabout to about around said arcuate seating area.

14. The terminal of claim duetive wires of said battery cable areinitially molded into said seating means as a cylindrical unitcommunicating with said arcuate seating area, and said serrations arecut through said arcuate seating area and the end of said cylindricalunit.

15. The terminal of claim 14 further comprising a silver plating on theexposed ends of said conductive wires in said cylindrical unitcommunicating through said arcuate seating area.

16. The terminal of claim 1 wherein said housing means comprises a sheetof metal transversely folded to form said guiding members at one endthereof and opposed end portions at the other end thereof carryingmatching semicylindrical indentations for receiving a battery cable, abattery post aperture extending through the mid portion thereof, andmeans for fastening said opposed ends together.

17. The terminal of claim 16 further comprising inwardly directedindentations in said semicylindrical indentations for compressing saidbattery cable therebetween.

18. A terminal device for connecting a battery cable to a terminal postof a storage battery comprising:

a. a body housing made from a sheet of metal transversely folded to fonna wedge guiding loop at one end thereof and opposed end portions at theother end thereof carrying semicylindrical indentations for receiving abattery cable, means for fastening said opposed ends together, a batterypost aperture extending through the midportion thereof, and a postseating means aligned in said aperture in opposed relationship to saidwedge guiding loop; and

b. a spring retaining wedge positioned within said guiding loopcomprising a wedge having having a leading narrowed end and a widenedtrailing end and being made from a sheet of resilient material bent toform opposed side members which carry opposed retaining edges forengagement with said post which are inclined to the direction ofmovement of said spring wedge within said guiding loop for wedgingaction against said post, portions of said opposed side members beingbiased outwardly so that engagement of said wedge between said post andsaid guiding loop during said movement causes expansion of said wedge inlocking relationship within said guiding loop.

19. A terminal device for connecting a battery cable to a terminal postof a storage battery comprising:

a titanium body having a post receiving port therethrough to secure toone end of the battery cable, and wedging means made of titanium forretaining a battery post within said post receiving port, said body andwedging means carrying a protective coating of a metal sulfate thereon.

20. The terminal device of claim sulfate is copper sulfate.

19 wherein said metal 9 wherein the ends of said con-'

1. A terminal device for connecting a battery cable to a terminal postof a storage battery comprising: a. a body housing carrying a postopening for receiving said battery post, means for connecting said cableto said body housing, a seating means for said post operativelypositioned in said post opening, and guiding members for confiningmovement of a spring retaining wedge transversely of said post openingopposite said seating means; and b. a spring retaining wedge having aleading narrowed end and a widened trailing end being made from a sheetof resilient material bent to form opposed side members which carryopposed retaining edges for engagement with said post which are inclinedto the direction of movement of said spring wedge within said guidingmembers, and wherein the opposed retaining edges on said leading end arespaced wider apart than the opposed retaining edges of said trailing endand wherein the retaining edges on the body of sAid wedge between saidends taper therebetween so that when contact is made between saidretaining edges and a battery post, said spring retaining wedge willexpand in said guiding members.
 2. The terminal of claim 1 wherein saidguiding means comprise a pair of opposed transverse slot memberspositioned on a resilient band integral with and partially encirclingsaid seating means.
 3. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising springmeans positioned adjacent said guiding means to contact said wedge andforce it in the direction of said post opening.
 4. The terminal of claim1 further comprising serrations extending from said seat for contactingand deforming said battery post when it is forced thereon by said springwedge.
 5. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising at least onelongitudinal slot extending from said leading end of said spring wedgeto thereby form at least one bendable prong.
 6. The terminal of claim 1wherein said retaining edges comprise slightly rounded sections formedby inturning the ends of said resilient sheet material.
 7. The terminalof claim 1 wherein said housing and said spring wedge are made of asubstantially noncorrosive metal.
 8. The terminal of claim 7 whereinsaid metal is titanium.
 9. The terminal of claim 1 wherein said seatingmeans comprises a molded conductive metal body having the ends of theconductive wires of said battery cable integrally molded therein, and anarcuate seating area for seating said battery post.
 10. The terminal ofclaim 9 wherein said arcuate seating area extends from about 140* toabout 150* around said post opening.
 11. The terminal of claim 9 whereinsaid conductive wires are spread in said molded body so that the endsthereof communicate substantially radially with said arcuate seatingarea.
 12. The terminal of claim 9 further comprising serrations forengaging said battery post extending from said arcuate seating area. 13.The terminal of claim 12 wherein serrations are positioned from about90* to about 120* around said arcuate seating area.
 14. The terminal ofclaim 9 wherein the ends of said conductive wires of said battery cableare initially molded into said seating means as a cylindrical unitcommunicating with said arcuate seating area, and said serrations arecut through said arcuate seating area and the end of said cylindricalunit.
 15. The terminal of claim 14 further comprising a silver platingon the exposed ends of said conductive wires in said cylindrical unitcommunicating through said arcuate seating area.
 16. The terminal ofclaim 1 wherein said housing means comprises a sheet of metaltransversely folded to form said guiding members at one end thereof andopposed end portions at the other end thereof carrying matchingsemicylindrical indentations for receiving a battery cable, a batterypost aperture extending through the mid portion thereof, and means forfastening said opposed ends together.
 17. The terminal of claim 16further comprising inwardly directed indentations in saidsemicylindrical indentations for compressing said battery cabletherebetween.
 18. A terminal device for connecting a battery cable to aterminal post of a storage battery comprising: a. a body housing madefrom a sheet of metal transversely folded to form a wedge guiding loopat one end thereof and opposed end portions at the other end thereofcarrying semicylindrical indentations for receiving a battery cable,means for fastening said opposed ends together, a battery post apertureextending through the midportion thereof, and a post seating meansaligned in said aperture in opposed relationship to said wedge guidingloop; and b. a spring retaining wedge positioned within said guidingloop comprising a wedge having having a leading narrowed end and awidened trailing end and being made from a sheet of resilient materialbent to form opposed side members which carry opposed retaining edgesfOr engagement with said post which are inclined to the direction ofmovement of said spring wedge within said guiding loop for wedgingaction against said post, portions of said opposed side members beingbiased outwardly so that engagement of said wedge between said post andsaid guiding loop during said movement causes expansion of said wedge inlocking relationship within said guiding loop.
 19. A terminal device forconnecting a battery cable to a terminal post of a storage batterycomprising: a titanium body having a post receiving port therethrough tosecure to one end of the battery cable, and wedging means made oftitanium for retaining a battery post within said post receiving port,said body and wedging means carrying a protective coating of a metalsulfate thereon.
 20. The terminal device of claim 19 wherein said metalsulfate is copper sulfate.